“I think it was one of the best college football games I've seen in a long time,” said Tuberville, the first-year coach of the Red Raiders. “You have great plays that happened throughout the game, the lead going back and forth. Disappointments. I mean, that's what college football's about.”

Some of the elements of the instant classic that unfolded in 2008 in Lubbock will be missing Saturday night when Tech hosts UT again. Namely, stars such as Harrell and Crabtree and, for the Longhorns, Colt McCoy and Jordan Shipley.

Those players have all moved on in their careers, but the stage is set for another tense drama.

Unranked Tech (2-0) and No. 6 UT (2-0) have notched victories over nonconference foes. Both need a Big 12 test to provide a barometer for how good they really are.

Tuberville, hired in January to replace Mike Leach, said Monday that playing a game of this magnitude so early has its “pluses and minuses.” Nevertheless, he sounded anxious to discover more about his players.

“I think the first two games went fairly well for us,” Tuberville said. “But we didn't play up to our potential. I think, this week, we'll find out a lot more about our team.”

Tech has registered victories over SMU and New Mexico. The Red Raiders opened the season at home against the Mustangs and hung on at the end for a 35-27 victory. Last weekend, they trounced the Lobos 52-17 in Albuquerque.

Highlights for Tech have come from quarterback Taylor Potts, who has hit 64 percent of his passes for 652 yards and seven touchdowns. Potts has yet to throw an interception. Five of his scoring throws have been to receiver Lyle Leong.

Linebacker Brian Duncan has emerged as the big-play artist on defense with four sacks. Meanwhile, sophomore Eric Stephens enjoyed a big night against New Mexico on special teams, producing a 93-yard kickoff return that set up a TD.

Tuberville is looking for a more focused effort against the Longhorns.

“The execution has got to be there,” he said. “... It's a game of mistakes, especially when you play against a team as high caliber as Texas. We have no choice. We've got to go out and play better.”